Letter: Outsourcing gone too far

The state sets aside $15 million to tear down the former Kings Park psychiatric hospital ["Demolition job," News, March 10] and then hires an out-of-state contractor for $6.4 million. What's next? Outsourcing our police, fire, prison guards and teachers to workers from other states?

Of course the local demolition companies cost more. Our cost of business, taxes and insurance make doing business more expensive. We all seem so obsessed with what everyone else -- our neighbors -- are earning, and we point fingers saying, "They're the problem, they're overpaid."

Let's put the blame where it belongs, on our elected leaders who use taxpayer money to buy votes instead of safeguarding our finances so we all have a decent standard of living. This is my idea for outsourcing: Fire the entire State Legislature, with the exception of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), and replace them with some out-of-work "legislators" from Iraq or Egypt.

Their qualifications? They can wear a suit, pretend to do the work of the people and take orders from one man.

Dennis Pekoff, North Bellmore

Editor's note: The writer supplies fences and is the treasurer of the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce.